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PASTORAL  LEWER 


FROM  TUR 


TO  THE 


flllRClIE.S  rXDEK  ITS  CASK, 


ADOPTED  IT 


10th  Xo^voml^eiv  1 3^  15. 


FAYETTEVILLE.:^ 

PRINTED  BY  EDWARD  J.  HA IX. 

1846, 


THE  fmUS  COlL€(mt)M 


The  Synod  of  North  Carolina  to  the  churches  undertiiair  care.  Grace, 
jnercy  and  peace  from  God  our  Father,  and  from  our  LoH  Jesus  Christ. 

Belovkd  Brethren  ix  the  Lord: 

You  are,  no  doubt,  aware,  that  one  ofthe  primarv  objects 
of  the  annual  meetings  of  your  Synod,  composed,  as  it  is,  ofthe  Pastors 
and  representatives  of  your  churches,  is,  cai-efully  to  inq'Jirs  into  the  con- 
dition of  our  beloved  Zion;  and  to  devise  and  propose  measures  for  b^r 
improvement  and  enlargement.  Remembering  our  high  responsibility, 
as  watchman  on  the  walls  of  Zion,  we  feel  constrained  to  communicate 
to  you,  the  results  and  conclusions  at  which  wo  have  arrived,  in  an  af- 
fectionate but  faithful  Pastoral  Letter.  Regard  it,  we  beseech  you,  not 
as  an  ordinary  olficial  document,  but  as  a  special  communication  upon 
matters  of  practical  and  vital  importance  to  yours-oivos,  to  your  children, 
to  our  common  countr}',  and  to  the  Kingdom  of  our  Lord  and  Saviour 
Jesus  Christ. 

And,  at  the  very  out-set,  truth  requires  us  to  state,  that  the  general 
aspect  of  our  Zion,  at  present,  is  unusually  discouraging  and  humiliating; 
tliat  feebleness  and  decline  are  the  leading  features  o(  majiy,  whilst  cold- 
ness, inactivity,  and  barrenness,  are  the  most  prominom  characteristics 
of  nearly  all  our  churches; — a  very  few  only  appearing  to  \ye  prosperous. 
Death  and  emigration  are  steadily,  and  with  increasing  rapidity,  thinning 
our  ranks,  and  diminishing  our  numbers.  Very  many  of  our  venerable 
Fathers,  both  in  the  ministry  and  among  the  laity,  who  have  been,  Am- 
ring  tlie  last  half-century,  so  prompt  to  come  up  to  the  help  of  the  Lord 
ajrainst  the  mighty,  have  no  longer  a  place,  elmer  in  our  churches  or  in 
our  church  judicatories.  Nor  have  any  of  our  churches,  of  late,  been  re- 
freshed and  strengthened  by  revivals  of  religion,  as  in  fornier  years.  The 
Fathers  have  fallen  asleep;  but  their  sons,  to  an  alarming  extent,  con- 
tinue in  the  course  of  this  world.  The  spirit  of  revivals,  those  precious 
harvest  seasons  for  the  souls  of  men  and  for  the  chui^  of  God,  seems  to 


4 


iiavc  departed  from  among  i.is.  With  verv  foAv  exceptions,  the  rniinl)fr' 
•<»i"dt;aths  and  removals,  in  our  churches,  has  exceeded  the  nimiber  ot'ad- 
<iitions.  From  our  statii^tical  rcports,  it  appears,  tiiat,  witliin  tJie  pu^t 
}ear,  Uie  number  of  our  ministers  has  been  diminished,  by  six,  and  o:' 
/Hir  candidates  tor  the  ministry,  by  ten.  In  addition  to  all  this,  tlie  tVc- 
<iUent,  and,  as  it  appears  to  us,  unwise  breaking  up  of  Pastoral  relations, 
(jt'late,  the  rapid  increase  of  vacant  churclies,  and  the  manifest  uant  of 
unity,  energy,  and  ciieertul  liberality  in  the  support  of  the  gospel,  are 
fvils  a!r<-ady  of  enormous  magnitude,  and  tearfully  onnnous  of  a  still  dark- 
er day  approaching.  This  state  of  decline,  moreover,  has  l?een  going 
t»n,  for  several  years*  We  have,  now,  Avlthin  the  liounds  and  under  the 
jiu  isdiction  of  our  JSynod,  27  vacant  churches: — G  more  than  we  had  e 
years  ago;  and  some  of  them,  churches  that  have  been  heretofore  regard, 
ed  as  among  the  strongest  and  most  flourishing  among  us.  And  what  is 
still  more  alarnn'ng,  whilst  this  state  of  things  not  only  continues  among 
v.s,  but  steadily  increases,  our  people  seem  to  1k\  recklessly  and  fearful- 
ly indiflerent  to  it;  and  neither  ministers  nor  people  have  hearts  to  pray 
about  it.  Nor  is  this  all:  For  seme  six  or  eight  years  past,  the  rinn)ber 
<>f  revivals  of  religion  \vithin  our  bounds,  the  additions  to  our  churches, 
the  success  of  the  JSabbath-sehool  cause,  attendance  upoii  jjible  class  and 
Catechetical  instruction,  the  amount  of  benevolent  contributions,  the  dis- 
position of  our  yonng  men  to  devote  themsehes  to  the  service  of  God  an<i 
his  church  in  the  work  of  the  ministry,  the  disposition  of  the  people  t.'> 
sustain  indigent  candidates  for  the  sacred  otiice,  and  the  zeal  manifested 
l>y  both  ministers  and  people  in  the  Temj)erance  reform,  instead  of  in- 
creasing, as  the  grov. th  of  our  population  and  the  indications  of  ])ivinc 
]*rovidence  have  loudly  demanded,  iiave,  with  very  few  e^ceptions,  ]>een 
steadily  retrograding.  Already,  some  ofour  feebler  churches  have  a  meie 
liominal  existence;  whilst  others  have  become  vacant,  frem  their  imibili- 
ty  to  support  their  Pastors:  and,  in  some  of  the  rest,  there  is  either  such 
a  state  of  disafiection  tov.  ards  the  Pastors,  such  an  enervating  indulgence 
In  personal  animosities  and  family  quanels,  or,  from  some  other  cause*.^ 
>uch  an  increasing  difficulty  to  secure  the  stipulated  ministerial  siip[)oit, 
as  to  render  the  prospects  of  their  Pastors  exceedingly  discouraging  iwic 
jirecarituis.  Under  such  circumstances,  neither  ministers  nor  p^eoplr 
know  what  to  expect;  nor  do  they  feel  the  right  sort  of  stimulus,  either 
to  pray  or  to  iaTK)ur  for  the  building  uj)  of  the  church.  On  ti  e  contrary, 
they  are  both  disheartened,  and  disposed  to  criminate  each  other.  Thi<? 
vork  of  decay  and  mortilication,  though  slow  afid  ofteji  in)percej)til)le,  is. 
iieverth.eless,  progressive  and  certain.  ]^et  the  pjesent  state  of  things 
'•(iUtinue  a  little  longer,  and  the  weaker  ofour  churches  will  beconie  e\- 
trnct;  whilst  the  stronger  will  continue  to  decline  and  dwindle,  until  they 
become  as  weak  as  the  weakest. 

Beloved  brethren:  We  camiot  witness  such  things,  and  contemplate 
>;ijch  pro.spects  respecting  our  l)eloved  Zion,  w  ithout  sounding  an  alarm; 
— without  stating  distinctly,  so  {hr  as  we  can  ascertain  them,  not  only 
the  langtu'shing  state  of  the  church,  but  the  causes  and  tlie  remedy. 

We  know,  indeed,  that  rrrry  good  and  'perfect  gift  is  from  aborr^ 
4!lid  com'eth  down  from  the  Father  of  lights,  with  irho/n  is  f.'O  rariahle- 
m'ss,  neUher  shadow  of  turning;  aiid  that,  w  ithout  the  divine  lilessing^ 


5 


aU  our  clT.n'ts  to  build  up  his  kingdom  amonorst  men  must  be  fruitless- 
^V^e  caiiuot,  however,  charge  the  decline  of  religion  and  the;  barrenness 
Tvt' ordinances  to  t!ie  Author  of  all  good.  We  are  assured,  that  i/j-y  arm 
is  not  short p.ned  that  he  cannot  save;  neither  is  His  ear  heavy  that  hecan^ 
not  hear:  but  that  sin  j)r(Kiuces  a  separation  between  Him  and  his  peo- 
ple. The  fault  is  ours; — chargeable  either  to  the  ministers  or  to  the 
p<!ople; — most  probably  to  both. 

We  have  most  solemnly  asked  ourselves,  as  we  now  inquire  ef  you, 
— Is  the  present  languishing  state  of  religion  among  us,  and  declining 
<'ondi!.iou  of  our  churches,  owing  to  a  want  thf  faithfulness  in  the  exiiibi- 
tion  and  a})plication  of  appropriate  Bible  truth,  from  the  pulpit,  or  in 
P.astoral  visitations]  Or,  Is  it  owing  to  scandal,  or  gross  inconsisten- 
cies, ill  the  Jives  of  your  ministers?  As  to  our  professional  peribrnuuiv 
ces,  we  are  conscious  of  much  imperfection,  'i'liis,  and  any  want  of 
entire  exemplariness  of  life,  is,  undouljtedly,  too  often,  the  legitimate  re- 
m\i  of  the  want  of  a  sufficiently  ardent,  absorbing,  and  controlling  pie- 
(y,  in  our  own  hearts.  Your  ministers,  then,  need  to  be  revived, — to 
have  the  Holy  J^pirit  poured  out,  copiously,  upon  tliem:  and,  usually, 
when  the  people  ajt-e  revived,  the  preachers,  as  well  as  the  peoj)le,  feel 
it,  ajid  manifest  it,  as  mucli  as  any. 

But,  it  sometinies  occurs,  that,  when  we  Vvould  otherwise  {i*el  stirred 
up  to  greater  zeal  and  activily  in  our  professional  work,  we  are  discour- 
liged  and  disqualified,  ))y  the  fatigue  and  perplexing  care?  of  em])loy- 
nipnts  that  are  utterly  t()reign  from  our  sacred  functions.  To  such  euj. 
ployments,  we  are,  not  unfrequently,  absolutely  driven,  in  order  to  secure 
j^bare  competent  support,  tor  ourselves  and  our  families.  It  is  utterly 
iinpossible  lor  us  to  he  in  a  suitable  frame,  either  intelleclually  or 
spiritually,  to  preach  the  gospel,  eiflier  in  the  pulpit  or  in  the  family, 
when  our  bodies  are  worn  down  by  secidarizing  employments,  or  otir 
nuuds  are  jaded  and  harrassed  hy  the  pressure  of  del)t,  and  the  know^ 
ledge,  stariiig  us  in  tlie  face,  that  that  debt  is  eirfarging,  our  liabiliti*  < 
increasiiig,  our  families  unprovirled  for,  our  children  growing  up  \n 
ignorance,  and  that  a  large  part -of  wliat  little  we  do  receive  is  paid 
f'ither  grudgingly  or  ^  a  mere  charity.  We  atiectionately  suggest, 
then.  Dear  brethren,  that  tervent  prayers  1)e  offered  to  tlie  Head  of  the 
church,  and  that  appropriate  efforts  be  made  by  l)oth  minii>ters  and  pec*- 
pie,  that  the  Lord  would  revive  and  encourage  the  hearts  of  }our  Pr*.-- 
tors,  and  place  them,  in  every  respect;  in  a  situation,  as  far  as  jxtssi- 
ble.  free  from  v.orldly  care^  and  favourable  to  iheir  official  usefulness. 

Agaiu:  We  would  atiectionately  intpiire. — Is-  there  no  delinquency 
in  duty  among  our  Uulir!,''i;-Elders, — in  maintaining  a  vvhoh^some  dirci- 
j)line  in  the  chui'eh,  for  tlie  preservalioJi- of  its  purity:  and  in  keeping  up 
and  enuouraging  Aveekly  prayer-meetings,  tor  the  comfort  of  the  saint-., 
and  the  special  benelit  <jf  the  rising  race?  Are  the}  sufficiently  cnr»>- 
ful,  to  see  that  siK-h  meetirjgs  are  attended,  and  conduct<^d  in  an  interest- 
ing and  e.']il\iug  manner?  Are  they  doing. all  they  can,  to  shield  their 
Pastors  from  the  shafts  of  wicked  men;  to  liold  U[)  tlieir  hands,  to  secrnd 
their  efforts,  and  to  carry,  out  their  plans  tor  doing  g?)o({: — for  pr<imotir:g 
tbe  iiitelligenc.e  and  spirituality  of  the  people?  Surf  ly,  vw*  ei\\\  nrvc,- 
reasonably  ev.pect  reiigit)n  to  be  revivedj  or  the  clutrcli  to  tluuiUh, 


3^2436 


6 


where  tliero  is  little  or  none  of  the  spirit  of  prayer.  Our  God  is  hoth 
able  JiU'l  willing,  to  cause  his  Zion,  though  ever  so  desolate  and  waste, 
to  become  as  the  garden  of  Eden:  But  He  saith  himself  that  He  will 
i/ct  for  this  be  inquired  of,  by  his  pe()ple,  1o  do  it  fir  them.  And,  are 
not  the  Elders  of  the  church,  men  selected  for  their  zeal  and  piety  as 
^^'ell  as  for  their  wisdom  and  prudence,  expected  to  be  leaders  and  en- 
samples,  in  this  most  important  and  delightful  exercise?  If,  therefore, 
they  are  not  tiu'owing  their  experience,  practical  sltiil,  and  personal  in- 
tiuence,  into  zealous  ef^brts  to  maintain  weekly  prayer-meetings,  and  to 
render  them  interesting  and  usefid,  they  are  not  doing  what  the  people 
expect  them  to  do,  what  they  might  do,  and  what  their  ofiice  requires 
them  to  do,  as  co-workers  with  their  Pastors,  in  fostering  the  impres- 
sions, which  are  often  produced  by  the  public  and  Parochial  labours  of 
tluMr  Pastors,  by  the  Providences  of  God,  and  by  the  common  influences 
of  the  Spirit.  It  is  seriously  feared,  that  the  church  is  suffering,  for 
want  of  more  social  prayer; — which  always  encourages  family  \A  orship, 
and  closet  devotions.  There  are,  probablj',  not  less  than  four  hundred 
and  thirty  Riding  Elders,  within  our  bounds.  How  many  weekly 
prayer-meetings  are  there?  If  every  Elder  had  the  spirit  of  player, 
jiiid  ex:erted  liimself  to  keep  up  a  well  conducted  prayer-meeting,  might 
we  not  confidently  expect  good  results  soon  to  appear?  Vv^ould  not 
their  Pastors  preach  and  pray  more  and  better?  Woidd  not  the  people 
jjttend  both  Church  and  prayer-meetings  better,  and  hear  the  gospel  to 
Ijetter  purpose?  Woidd  not  sinners  be  converted,  christians  be  more 
consistent,  and  our  churches  be  more  flourishmg? 

But  dear  brethren, — Have  our  private  church  members  no  share  in 
the  guilt  of  bringing  about  the  present  languishing  state  of  our  Zion? 
Is  there  nothing  like  corruption,  or  mere  nominal  religion,  in  our 
churches?  If  a  large  proportion,  or  any  considerable  number  of  our 
riiurch  members  are  mere  professors  of  religion,  though  ever  so  zealous 
for  an  orthodox  creed,  whilst  they  are  strangers  to  experimental  reli- 
gion, having  never  been  born  again: — if  they  attend  ever  so  punctili- 
ously iipon  the  outward  and  popular  forms  of  Christianity,  whilst  they 
art^  ignoi-ant  and  destitute  of  its  vital  power,  }#»d  neglect  its  practical 
duties, — can  we  expect  the  Church  to  flourish?  If  family  worship  be 
gcMierally,  or  to  any  considerable  extent,  neglected; — if  secret  prayer 
be  l)ut  rarely  practised; — if  personal,  family,  or  neighborhood  grudges 
anrl  quarrels  be  allowed, — so  that  individuals  and  families  of  the  same 
communion,  who  are  brethren  by  profession,  can  say  nothing  but  evil 
<•!  each  other,  and  never  even  speak  to  one  another; — is  it  any  wonder 
that  the  church  is  in  a  languishing  state?  If  such  be  the  state  of  things 
aniong  us,  (and  we  most  heartily  wish  there  was  no  evidence  of  such 
being  the  state  of  things  in  any  part  of  our  bounds;)  has  not  the  church 
the  very  elements  of  destruction,  in  her  own  bosom?  It  is  not  a  novel 
tiling  in  the  History  of  the  church,  that  her  prospects  are  beclouded,  and 
her  friends  dismayed  by  defeat  and  sore  chastisements,  on  account  of 
some  sin  indulged  in  by  only  a  portion  of  her  members,  and  sometimes 
on.'y  by  a  single  individual.  As  memorable  instances  of  this,  and  solenni 
warnings  to  us,  we  need  only  refer  you  to  the  golden  calf,  the  murmur- 
iii<r  of  the  jwop.le  of  Israel  in  Kadish',  the  iniquity  of  Peor,  and  the  sin  of 
Acha:i;.  iji  ineddiiiig  with  the  accursed  thing.    We  must  ferret  out,  and 


put  away  sin,  if  we  would  Lave  the  Lord  to  prosper  the  work  of  our  hands. 

In  this  connexion,  we  feel  constrained  to  specify  some  two  or  three 
prominent  and  growing  evils,  which,  we  fear,  liave  already  obtained  a 
strong  hold;  and  are  exerting  a  most  withering  influence,  in  the  church. 

1.  In  the  first  place,  we  mention,  the  indulgence  of  a  wordly  spirit, 
in  the  form  of  selfislniess,  avarice,  and  cupidity.  We  are  aware,  that 
it  is  difficult,  in  many  cases,  to  distinguish  between  the  operation  of  this 
spirit  and  dire  necessity.  Let  every  one  scrutinize  his  own  motives  on 
this  subject.  But,  whenever  it  is  as  obviously  true  of  protessing  chris- 
tians as  of  others,  that  every  man  seeketh  his  own,  irrespective  of  his 
neighbour's  wealth;  that  the  constant  and  predominant  current  of  their 
thoughts  and  desires  is  in  the  pursuit  of  wordly  emolument;  that  their 
objects  of  pursuit,  and  plans  of  action,  as  evinced  by  their  daily  conver- 
sation and  conduct,  tend  exclusively  to  the  same  end,  viz:  to  the  acquisi- 
tion and  hoarding  up  of  property,  for  their  own  sensual  enjoyment;  and 
that  it  is  with  manitest  reluctance  that  they  contribute  even  a  pittance 
— (a  mere  mite  in  comparison  with  the  amount  of  their  resources) — for 
the  support  of  the  gospel,  or  for  benevolent  purposes; — is  it  any  wonder 
that  religion  languishes,  or  that  the  church  dwindles?  The  influence  of 
such  a  spirit,  not  only  shuts  out  from  the  soul  the  claims  of  benevolence; 
but  it  freezes  up  the  channels  of  charity,  excludes  God  and  religion  from 
the  mind;  keeps  men  too  busy  to  attend  either  upon  family  worship  or 
the  social  prayer-meeting;  prepares  them  to  disregard  the  law  of  the 
Sabbath;  disqualifies  them  for  the  devotions  of  the  sanctuary;  disposes 
them  to  take  unlawful  advantages  in  trade;  and  to  extort,  from  their  fel- 
low-men, in  direct  proportion  to  the  pressure  of  their  necessities.  Those 
who  possess  such  a  spirit,  not  only  fail  to  be  ike  salt  of  the  earth  and 
the  light  of  the  world;  but  they  aie  spots  in  our  feasts  of  charity^  clouds 
without  water  ^  trees  whose  fruit  icithereth,  raging  waves  of  the  sea,  uan- 
dering  stars,  to  whom  is  reserved,  the  blackness  of  darkness  for  ever. 
Dearly  beloved, — Love  not  the  world.,  neilhcr  the  things  that  are  in  the 
world.  If  any  man  love  the  world,  the  love  of  the  Father  is  not  in  him. 
And  be  not  conformed  to  this  world;  but  be  ye  transformed  by  the  renew- 
ing of  your  mind,  that  ye  may  prove  ichat  is  that  good,  and  acceptable, 
and  perfect  will  of  God.  Lie  not  one  to  another,  seeing  that  ye  have  pvl 
off  the  old  man  with  his  deeds;  and  have  put  on  the  new  man,  which  is 
renewed  in  knowledge  after  the  image  of  him  that  created  him:  Where 
there  is  neither  Greek  nor  Jew,  circumcision  nor  uncircumcision,  Barba- 
rian, Scythian,  bond,  nor  free;  but  Christ  is  all,  and  in  all.  Put  on, 
therefore,  as  the  elect  of  God,  holy  and  beloved,  b&wels  of  mercies,  kind- 
ness, humbleness  of  mind,  meekness,  long  suffering;  forbearing  one  an- 
other, and  forgiving  one  another,  if  any  man  have  a  quarrel  against  any; 
even  as  Christ  forgave  you,  so  also  do  ye.  And,  above  all  these  things, 
put  on  charity,  which  is  the  bond  of  perfectness.  Arid  let  the  peace  of 
God  rule  in  your  hearts,  to  the  which  also  ye  are  called,  in  one  body;  and 
be  ye  thankful.  Let  the  word  of  Christ  dwell  in  you  richly  in  all  wis- 
dom; teaching  and  admonishing  one  another  in  Psalms,  and  Hymns,  and 
Spiritual  Songs,  singing  v'ith  grace  in  your  hearts  to  the  Lord.  And 
whatsoever  ye  do  in  word  or  deed,  do  all  in  the  name  of  the  Lord  Jesus,, 
giving  thanks  to  God  and  the  Father,  by  him. 


8 


*2.  Sccomfly:  We  have  roa.son  to  fear,  that  the  preaching  of  thcf 
'blessed  <^os()el,  and  the  oitlinances  and  jnivileges  of  God's  house,  are 
bcginnin<r  to  be  greatly  undervalued  hy  our  people.  Already,  it  is  but 
too  evidei>t,  that  the  people  feel' no  serious  alarm  when  their  house  of 
worship  is  closed  up,  the  candlestick  of  the  sanctuary  removed  from  a- 
mong  them,  and  the  preaching  of  the  gotrpel,  Avhich  God  lias  ordained 
the  principal  ineaiks  of  salvation,  is  no  longer  enjoyed  l>y  them.  For 
the  same  reason,  in  too  many  instance^^,  vacant  churches, — although 
ih.oy  are  scattering  and  becoming  weaker  every  day, — seem  to  ]>e  con- 
stantly bccoujing  less  zealous  and  less  un5k?d  in  effort,  to  procure,  for 
themselvesy  an  adequate  supply  of  gospel .  mini^rations.  i  Hence,  too 
many  who  enjoy  the  ordinances  of  the  gospel  and  the  privilege*  of  the 
church, — persons,  moieover,  who  are  in  far  more  Affluent  circumstances, 
— regard  it  as  an  intoierable  tax, — a  burden  too  heavy  to  be  l>orne, — 
to  have  to  pay,  even  it  tythe  of  wha^  their  torefathcrs>  paid,  for  the 
planting  of  the  church,  and  the  support  4)f  the  gospel.  Perhaps,  they 
have  enjoyed  such  privileges  so  long,  that  they  have  become  suifeited 
with  thein*  .  Let  them,  visit  a  new  country,  and  there  witness  the  la- 
iii*'ntable  etiects  of  a  destitution  of  the  moans  of  grace,  and  begin  to  leef 
pinched  with  hunger  for  the  bread  of  lite:  thefi,  teeling  "as  if  they  cai»- 
not  do  without  it,  they  will  be  glad  to  get  that  gospel  H;^  hich  they  now 
undervalue,  even  by  paying  ten  times  the  amount,  whicli,  at  present,  it 
co5ts  them.  In  direct  proportion,  moreover,  t?o  our  valuation  of  g(jspel 
f^rivileges,  will  our  desires  and  cries  be  poured  out  to  G'od^  for  his  Mess- 
ing to  attend  the  ordinances  of  his  house.  Although  the  gift  of  the  Holy 
Spirit  cannot  be  purchased  with  money;  yet,  so  long  as  professing  ehris- 
tians  love  their  money  or  property  more  than  they  love  the  means  of 
'  ^'racc,  or  the  souls  of  their  leilow-men,  they  need  not  e.Apcct  the  Holy 
>'pirit  to  give  eiiiciency  to  those  means  of  grace,  cither  in  conifortin.g: 
their  hearts,  or  in  enlarging  the  church.  {  As  you  value,  therelbre,  the 
souls  of  mcii,  your  own  true  ha})piness,  the  salvation  of  your  children, 
and  the  best  interests  of  our  beloved  country,  beware  of  undervaluing 
the  gospel  and  its  ordinances:  guurd,  most  sedulously,  against  even  a' 
f'jmporary  privation  of  the  healthful  influences  of  a  stated  gospel  minis- 
•itry;  and,  if  you  arc  already  deprived  of  them,  spare  no  pains  to  regain 
•  them;  and  cease  not  your  prayers  to  God,  both  publicly  and  pj  ivately, 
till  he  shall  send  unto  you,  a  shepherd  after  his  own  heart. 

3.  Tinrdly:  The  love  of  novelty  and  change,  insta))ility  aiid  vacilla- 
tion of  miner,  in  regard  to  the  dbctrines,  institutions,  and  ministry  of  the 
♦:,hurch,  must  be  mentioned,  as  another  growing  evil,  of  disastrous  ten- 
dency. We  fear,  the  scripture  is  about  to  be  fulfilled,  even  among  u-, 
which  says,  the  lime  icill  come,  when  iliey  wUl  not  endure  sounxt  doclrlnr.;. 
but  after  their  own  lusts,  having  itching  cars,  they  shall  heap  to  them- 
selves  teachers,  turn  au:ay  their  ears  from  the  truth,  and  he  tui-ned  into 
fables.  This  spirit  has  already  begun  to  do  its  work  among  us;  and, 
JiK^n,  under  its  influence,  whenever  there  is  a  protracted  meeting,  or  a 
strange  preacher  within  reach,  will  leave  the  most  faithful  Pastor  to 
preach  to  vacant  seats  and!  empty  walls,  i  And  what  is  otill  woi-se,  this 
spirit  will  drive  from  theiiv  homes,  however  comfortah'le,  and  from  their. 


9 


fn^lds  «r  labour,  however  important  and  inviting,  the  best  of  men,  hov- 
't'ver  eminent  lor  piety,  sound  in  doctrine,  and  indefatigable  in  duty;  for 
jio  oth^ir  cause  than  t»'i<e  desiw  of  change,  the  love  of  novelty,  or  the 
hope  of  having  the  ear  tickk'd  by  the  popularity  of  a  new  preacher. 
This  disposition  to  set  aside  the  Pastoral  office  at  pleasure,  and  to  prr- 
ihr  an  itinerating  miiiistiy,  k  diametrically  oppos^^d  to  one  of  the  mo.t 
prominent,  distinctive,  and  vitally  important  features  in  our  Presbyterian 
»iystem,  and  to  the  great  design  of  the  Pastoral  office,  as  instituted  by 
^'hrist;  and  fmught  with  most  dangerous  consequences.  It  has  already 
begun  to  thix^aten  our  cfeurch-es;  and  while  it  continues  among  us,  we 
need  expect  little  else  than  tlosolation. 

Upon  this  subject,  we  cansiot  forbear  giving  you,  in  full,  the  views 
tind  cautions  of  the  American  Home  Missionary  Society,  as  the  result 
^>f  their  long  experience  and  <?xtended  information,  as  published  in  the 
Annual  report  of  the  Contrail  Agency,  in  the  State  of  New  York.  May 
1837. 

'We  considtsi*,'  say  that  Society,  'the  frequent  changing  of  ministers 
•so  destructive  :an  evil,  that  we  are  constrained  to  invite  the  attention  of 
'Our  Missionaries  and  church-es  to  the  followin^^  co n side I'at ions,  in  the 
."iiope  that  they  v>m11  ponder  the  suljiject  thopoqghly;  and,  by  the  grace  of 
<.Tod,  be  guided  in  the  path  of  duty. 

'I.  We  wiM  mention  a  few  -of  the.  ways,  in  which  a  minister^  who 
means  to  be  a  Pastor,  is  injured  Ijy  frequently  changing  his  field  of  U- 
^jour. 

'1.  It  inrreasea  ike  txpemes  of  his  Jamil y.  None  of  our  ministers 
sreceive  more  for  tl>eir  servioe-s  tba^i  enough  to  meet  the  necessary  ex- 
gienses  of  the  year.  Every  removal,  by  loss  of  time  and  consumption 
of  property,  increases  his  expenses,  fiom  fifty  to  a  hundred  dollars, 
'This  noust  embarrass  hiuij,  and  dimmish  his  usefulness. 

'2.  Neglect  of  study  another  eril  tendency  of  a  changing  ministry. 
In  this  day  of  commotion  and  reading  of  ephemeral  productions,  there 
xxva  but  few  ministers  of  sufficient  self-conMnand  to  pursiie  a  course  of 
Theological  research,  wihich  requires  mental  agony,  but  which  is  indis- 
i^)ensable,  would  they  grow  in  knowledge  arid  be  able  to  feed  their  flock, 
— so  long  as  they  can  depend  upon  the  labours  of  former  years.  Wc 
are  aware,  that  some  churches  prefer  to  have  their  ministers  spend  the 
whole  year  in  visiting.  Experience,  howeve?*,  proves,  that,  with  few 
•exceptions,  a  people  never  know  the  worth  of  their  minister,  until  the 
last  old  sermon  is  used  up,  or  burnt  up;  and  he  S-segins  to  draAv  afresh, 
'from  the  stores  of  etcrnai  truth,  things  new  and^ld.  Such  a  people  may 
know  what  they  have  goti;  but  they  never  can  know  what  they  have  losl. 

'3.  It  diminishes  a  minister's  consciousness  of  responsibility;  and  makes 
him  indifferent  about  the  distant  results  of  his  labour.  A  minister  is  .a 
man  of  like  passions  with  others;  and  needs  every  possible  influence,  to 
induce  him  to  seek  the  path  of  duty,  and  hold  him  in  it.  We  cannot 
doubt,  that  the  perpetijpally  recurring  thought, — '/  shall  probably  remain 
here  but  a  year^''''  will  tend  to  make  him  reckless.  How  is  it  possible 
to  avoid  it?  A  man,  were  he  as  pure  as  an  angel,  needs  the  hope  of 
success,  as  well  as  the  love  of  doing  good,  to  kindle  his  zeal,  and  prompt 
him  to  watchfulness,  forethought,  and  industry.  But  often,  he  is  a  mere 
2 


10 


annual  hireling,  with  but  a  few  months  at  most,  to  begin  and  close  up 
iill  hi!«  iuiiours,  in  a  given  place.  And  the  agreement  which  holds  him 
there,  has,  on  the  face  of  it,  evidence,  that  his  people  regard  him  with 
verv  little  confidence;  and  his  prospects  are  withering,  rather  than  re- 
freshing.  We  need  not  wonder,  if  a  man  held  l)y  the  chmch  in  such 
r.ircunistances,  should  do,  or  neglect  to  do,  what  would  render  him  un- 
popular, or  his  labours  unproductive. 

*4.  //.  prevents  a  minister  from  carrying  into  ejfect  any  important  plan 
for  gathering  and  building  up  a  congregation.  Would  he  accomplisli, 
what  a  minister,  by  the  grace  of  God,  may  do,  all  the  various  circum- 
stances and  wants  of  the  whole  church  and  congregation  are  to  be 
sought  out; — the  children  and  youth  are  to  be  gathered  around  him  and 
taught  to  remember  their  Creator; — j)arents  are  to  ]>e  instructed  how  to 
command  their  children  and  households  to  keep  the  way  of  the  Lord: — 
the  church  is  to  be  puritied  by  discipline;  her  understanding  enlighten- 
ed; her  artections  directed;  her  energies  combined;  and  all  her  powers 
enlisted  in  the  enterprize  of  the  world's  conversion.  Who  can  accom- 
plish such  a  work,  in  one  year, — or  two  years, — or  five  years?  How 
is  it  possi])le  for  a  man,  even  the  best,  to  clt^ar  and  prepare  the  soil, 
sow  the  seed,  and  bring  in  the  ripe  harvest,  short  often  or  fifteen  years.' 
He  may  do  something,  yea  much,  but  can  he  shew  what  a  faithful  Pas- 
tor is  capable  of  doing]  Can  he  carry  a  church  through  the  school  of 
Ciirisfl    Can  he  train  a  generation  for  the  sei-vice  of  God? 

*5.  It  prevents  a  minister  from  acquiring  the  habit  of  patient  endv- 
raticc,  which  is  so  important  to  an  Ambassador  of  Christ.  A  minister, 
who  would  exert  a  solid,  holy,  and  lasting  influence  in  the  Avorld,  may 
depend  upon  being  severely  tried.  He  cannot  escape  trials  by  chang- 
ing places.  They  must  and  will  come.  If  he  attempt  to  run  away  from 
them,  and  be  overtaken  at  last,  he  will  be  likely  to  imbibe  a  petidujit 
and  fault-finding  spirit.  If  he  meet  them  manfully,  and  endure  them 
patiently,  it  will  chasten  his  spirit,  and  increase  liis  meekness.  TIm; 
easiest  way  to  dispose  of  ministerial  trials,  whatever  be  their  nature  or 
magnitude,  is  to  endure  them.  The  habit  of  endurance,  which  this 
course  will  strengthen,  greatly  diminishes  the  severity  of  trials;  and,  in 
the  apprehension  of  the  subject,  it  will  proljab>ly  diminish  their  number. 
But,  what  is  of  more  importance  still,  trials,  well  endui  ed,  l  aise  a  min- 
ister vastly  in  the  estimation  of  his  people,  while  they  increase  his  con- 
fidence in  the  grace  of  God;  and  thus,  the  way  is  prepared  for  his  ex- 
erting a  more  powerful,  salutary,  and  permanent  influence. 

'II.  We  will  now  name  a  few  of  the  ways,  in  which  a  church  is  iii- 
jured,  by  frequently  changing  their  minister. 
.  -'1.  //.  will,  almost  incai'iably,  lead  to  the  neglect  of  discipline.  Tliis 
is  one  of  the  most  important  and  painful  duties  a  minister  has  to  per- 
form. When  he  supposes  his  residence  with  a  people  is  merely  tem- 
porary, it  has  often  presented  a  fatal  temptation  to  pass  over  this  st-it- 
denying  duty.  His  successor  takes  the  same  course,  until  that  church, 
which  might  have  been  united,  flourishing,  and  strong,  is  alienated, 
few,  and  feeble. 

'2.  It  tends  to  divide  and  distract  a  church.  Some  churches  seem  1> 
imagine,  that  the  most  stife  and  certain  way  to  dispose  of  the  great 


11 


rvass  of  their  parish  difficulties,  is  to  dismiss  their  minister,  espccially 
.r;'any  serious  oj)positioii  appears  a<»ainst  him.  But  the  people  of  (»otl 
i'iny  never  hope  to  get  a  rninister  who  will  buLld  them  uj),  without  they 
iire  tried  and  proved,  as  well  as  their  niinister.  Tliej  must  be  with 
Jiiuj,  and  heartily  witii  him.  They  must  labour  with  him,  and  suHe:' 
•tilth  hin^;  or  the  cause  of  christ  must  suffer,  and  languish,  and  die. 
Now,  suppose  that  a  congregatitjji  has  secured  a  minister,  and  a  faith- 
L'.d  one:  Suppose  that  congregation  is  in  the  habit  of  dismissing  their 
inini^Jter  as  often  as  any  serious  difficulty  arises;  and  suppose  the  truth 
*.'f  God  lias  chafed  the  consciences  of  some  of  the  people,  so  that  they 
reel  uneasy:  Wiiat  is  the  consequence?  These  restless  spirits  know, 
■'i-'hat  has  been  done,  more  than  once,  in  similar  circumstances:  By  a 
tttie  anf.jl  manoeuvering,  the  rninister  has  I'cen  dismissed.    'J'heir  course 

plain;  and  their  work  is  easy.  They  know  the  church  will  not  ev- 
:lurt'  hardness-,  as  good  soldiers  of  Jesus  Christ;  but  will  shrink  fi'om 
opposition  raised  against  th(^ir  minister;  and  though  they  profess  to  love 
iiim,  will  part  with  him,  rather  than  do  their  duty.  Some  of  the  church, 
iiowever,  uro  willing  to  hazard  any  thing  necessary  to  retain  him:  but, 
he  must  go,  leaving  the  chiu'ch  to  contend  about  him.  When  such  ;i 
.icene  has  been  acted  over,  again  and  again,  and  anothej',  and  sti'l 
mother  party  is  formed  in  a  chuich,  their  affections,  instead  of  ]>eiiig 
'juited  and  settled  upon  one,  are  divided  among  nearly  as  many  minis- 
ters, as  there  are  members  in  the  church. 
.  I<  makes  them  fastidioiis  and  fault -firuVrng.  Called  as  often  as  , 
r^ome  of  our  churches  are,  to  hear  candidates,  (not  for  settlement,  l)ut  to 
l)e  hired  for  a  year  or  two,)  they  unco««ciously  acquire  the  habit  v( 
criticizing  every  thing  they  see  a  minister  do,  or  hear  him  say.  And 
as  one  gi-eat  object  of  changing  is,  to  get  something  new, — something 
that  will  arrest  attention,  tliey  are  led  to  attach  an  undue  import-afice  to 
novelty;  and  this  })egets  a  disposition  not  to  be  satisfied  wilh  any  thing. 
Tiiis  habit,  aside  from  its  destructive  influence  in  neutralizing  the  truti», 
has  led  the  way  to  numerous  complaints,  which  have  been  tiu'  cause  of 
bitter  regret  to  the  authors  of  them;  and  have  injured  the  reputation  and 
■wrimg  the  heart  of  many  an  aff(?ctiona.te  minister. 

'4,  preoenfs  a  church  from  acquiring  that  covfidence  in  her  wiuis. 
f'n\  irhirh^  next  to  the  Iruth  of  God,  is  one  of  the  most  powerful  and  df- 
lighful  instruments  of  Pasloral  usefulness.  When  a  minister  lias  been 
in  a  congregation  for  a  course  of  years;  has  often  wept  with  those  that 
%veep,  and  rejwced  with  those  that  rejoice;  mingled  in  all  their  families, 
and  sympathized  with  them  in  the  various  circumstances  through  which 
they  have  passed;  the  people  then  begin  to  know  him,  and  love  him,  and 
oontide  in  him,  as  th^Mr  Pastor.  When  ^lle  has  followed  the  child  from 
the  Baptismal  font,  v/ith  the  instructions  and  counsels,  warnings  and  en- 
treaties of  a  yearning  Father;  bee'i  with  him  when  convicted;  answered 
bis  itiquiry, —  What  shall  I  do  to  he  saved? — led  him  in  prayer  when  he 
knew  not  Uow  to  pray;  and  mingled  his  tears  of  joy  with  the  penitent 
l>efore  the  mercy  seat; — that  youth  will  never  forget  his  Pastor.  He 
knows  his  Pastor  ioves  him.  No  voice  is  more  sweet  to  him,  than  the 
one  which  taught  him  liow  to  be  saved.  When  a  congregation  ha^ 
been  thus  educated  by  their  Pastor;  M  hen  they  have  tried  him  and  proved 


12 


)iim;  when  they  have  hibourcd  with  him,  and  wept  with  hin?,  and  re- 
joiced  with  him;  when  they  have  seen  and  felt  his  salutary  influence  on 
tiieir  own  souls,  in  every  liimily  and  eveiy  department  of"  society: — they 
reverence  and  love  him  as  children  do  an  affectionate  Father;  and  are 
prepared  to  follow  him,  as  their  spiritual  guide.  But  frequent  changes 
I'ljrbid  the  formation  of  this  endearing  bond:  and  shut  out  a  people  from 
its  benign  influence. 

'5.  It  destroys  the  character  of  a  churclu  It  is  not  yet  to  be  learned^ 
tliat  a  church  has  a  character,  as  well  as  a  minister.  It  is  not  unfr(?- 
qqenily  that  we  hear  the  following  inquiries,  when  persuading  a  minis- 
t;^r  to  go  to  a  i)articular  church, ^ — Have  they  ever  had  a  settled  PasiorT 
Do  they  often  change  ministers?  Do  yoii  know  whether  they  wish  to  hire 
by  the  year,  or  to  settle?  These,  and  similar  inquiries,  are  made,  to  de- 
cide one  question;  viz:  Can  I  be  useful  there?  If  a  minister,  espe- 
cially one  of  the  better  sort,  |jet  the  impression,  that  the  people  are  slow: 
to  settle  a  Pastor,  and  rather  contemplate  changing  once  in  a  year  or  two, 
lie  will  be  likely  to  pity  the  people;  but,  despairing  of  success,  he  will 
pass  on.' 

Dear  Brethren:  We  cannot  close  this  communication,  without  solemn- 
ly cautioning  you  against  all  those  forms  and  systems  of  error,  that  are?- 
beginning  to  be  propagated  among  us,  which  either  exclude  or  under- 
value the  old-fashioned,  but  fundamental  scriptural  doctrines  of  Original 
sin;  total  depravity;  the  absolute  necessity  of  a  change  of  heart;  regere<f- 
ration  by  the  Holy  Spirit;  justification  bj  the  imputed  righteousness  of 
the  Lord  Jesus  Christ;  and  good  works,  as  the  indispensable  evidence  of 
a  man's  being  in  a  state  of  grace: — which  set  tbrth  Baptismal  regeiM*- 
ration,  sacerdotal  forgiveness  of  sin,  Baptis4Tial  justification;  and  sacira- 
rnental  confirmation,  as  an  easier  and  more  fashionable  way  of  salvation; 
which  lay  claim  to  Apostolic  succession  in  office,  and  the  exclusive  right 
of  interpreting,  if  not  of  reading  the  holy  scriptures,  as  well  as  of  adniiin- 
istering  divine  ordinances;  and  which  urge  men,  as  the  step  of  paramount 
importance,  to  join  the  church,  as  a  means  of  grace; — or,  as  the  only  way 
of  safety,  to  come  iiito  the  church,  hy  Prelatical  Baptism  and  ConfirRia- 
tion,  irrespective  of  their  princip^les  and  of  their  lives.  Think  not,  we 
beseech  you,  that  there  is,  or  can  be  any  easier  way  of  salvation  than 
that  which  the  meek  and  lowly  Jesus  hath  taught  us,  by  newness  and 
holiness  of  life,  through  faith  in  his  name.  Guard  against  ihese,  and 
their  kindred  errors,  however  arrogantly  and  pompously  they  maj  be 
urged  upon  you,  by  men,  enrobed  in  bigotry,  and  of  exclusii'e  pretensions. 
They  are  the  abominations  of  Rome,  in  Pusyitish  dress;  and  they  arej).ro- 
pagated,  with  all  the  zeal  and  dexterity  of  primitive  proselytism. 

Finally,  Brethren, — If  you  would  be  joyful  in  the  Lord;  if  you  woulcii 
see  your  children  and  servants  growing  up  around  you,  ss  fruitful  planta- 
in his  vineyard;  if  you  would  have  the  candlestick  of  the  sanctuary  to 
continue  its  light,  and  to  shine  ntore  and  more  brightly  among  you;  if  you 
would  have  the  church  of  God  revived,  enlai'ged,  encouraged,  and  efii- 
cient; — the  salt  of  the  earth, — the  light  of  the  world;  if  you  would  have 
the  world,  which  licth  in  wickedness,  converted  to  God; — we  sf)lemn]r 
charge  you,  to  seek,  with  all  diligence,  a  more  elevated  and  active  grade 
of  piety:    Be  more  trequently  and  more  im;portunate  in  your  closets;  let 


13 


the  holy  scriptures  Ije,  moro  scruj>ulousIy,  the  daily  lamp  to  }our  feet,  and 
light  to  your  path;  let  brotherly  lave  he  wilhout  dissimvlalion;  associate 
yourselves  more  fi  equeiitly  together,  t<)r  social  prayer  and  solemn  praise; 
maintain  a  higher  starnlard  of  tlimily  religion;  pay  special  attention  to  the 
religious  instruction  of  your  childi  en  and  servants;  drill  them,  n)ore  tho- 
rou£;hly,  after  the  example  of  our  fore-fathei  s,  in  the  oicellent  standards 
and  catechisms  of  our  church;  maintain  a  constant  ajid  strict  observance 
of  the  Saljljath;  and  especially,  give  the  honour  which  is  due  to  the  {loly 
Spirit,  and  to  Him  alone; — recognise  Him,  distinctly  iiwd  lial)itua!ly,  in 
his  divinity,  personality,  and  appropriate  work; — clicrish  an  abiding  sense 
of  absolute  dependence  upon  his  agency; — and  seek,  most  fervently,  in 
tlie  diligent  use  of  the  means  of  grace,  a  speedy  and  a  mighty  effusion  of 
his  sacred  influences. 

And  now,  may  that  God  who  liath  all  hearts  in  his  hand,  and  who 
conducteth  them  whithersoever  he  will,  as  the  rivers  of  water  are  turned, 
incline  your  heaiis,  to  the  cheerful,  willing,  and  habitual  exercise  of  every 
grace  and  virtue  which  adorns  the  character  of  his  own  children;  and  may 
He  malce  f/ou  perfect  in  every  good  irork  io  do  his  u  i/J,  uorhing  in  you 
that  which  is  well  pleasing  in  his  sight  through  Jesus  Christ,  to  whom 
be  glory  for  ever  and  ever.  Amen. 

By  order  of  the  Synod. 

SAMUEL  WILLIAMSON,  Moderate. 

Charlotte,  N.  C.  Nov.  10th,  1840. 


I 


ij.  G.     204    Z99M    v.l  372436 
Nos. 1-18 


N,  C.  Rftl  igious-^Bampial e^ts^ 


CALL  NUMBER 

A 


Vol. 


I 


Date  (for  periodical) 


Copy  No.  i  _ 

N.C.     204    Z99M    v.l  57343 

•'OS.  1-18 


